Senate President Francisco Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez successfully retained their leadership positions as the 20th Congress that was convened on Monday, following overwhelming support from their respective chambers.
Escudero was re-elected Senate President with 19 out of 24 votes. His rival, former Senate President Vicente Sotto, garnered the remaining five votes. In keeping with tradition, Sotto, as the second-highest vote getter, automatically assumed the position of Senate Minority Leader.
In the House of Representatives, Speaker Romualdez received backing from 269 out of 317 congressmen, with 34 abstentions. Despite the absences, Romualdez’s victory solidified his leadership position in the lower house.
In his remarks during the House’s first session, Romualdez addressed the Supreme Court’s ruling against the impeachment case involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
While acknowledging the Court’s decision, he reaffirmed the House’s prerogative to initiate such charges. “Let me say this with utmost respect. The Supreme Court has spoken, and we recognize its decision. But let it never be said that the House of the People vowed in silence,” Romualdez said. “The court may close a case, but it cannot close a cause. The pursuit of accountability is not a moment; it is our mandate.”
Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada was elected Senate President Pro Tempore, while Senator Joel Villanueva was re-elected as chairman of the Committee on Rules, effectively making him the Majority Floor Leader responsible for guiding bills through the legislative process.
